Germany's Chancellor Merkel is pictured after receiving the Charlemagne Prize 2008 in the western German...
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel is pictured after receiving the Charlemagne Prize 2008 in the western German city of Aachen May 1, 2008. Merkel was awarded with the "Karlspreis" for her exemplary work for peace in Europe and in the world. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday he had a lot more affection for German Chancellor Angela Merkel than media say, brushing aside suggestions ties had worsened in past months. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender (GERMANY)